Jul. 1, 2013

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Butler cheerleaders will help the Bulldogs celebrate their entrance into the Big East today during a rally at 11:30 a.m. at the Circle and at 4:30 p.m. at Hinkle Fieldhouse. / Star file photo

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Happy Monday! It's July 1, 2013.

Did your weekend plans get rained out? Indianapolis got almost as much rain on Sunday as we did in the entire month of June last year, says The Star's Tweeteorologist, Paul Poteet (who got suddenly soaked during his ride in the Fishers Freedom Festival parade)! Expect more cool and wet weather today, he says; our high today will be just 76, with storms possible in the afternoon.

Forestry spokesman Art Morrison said the firefighters were caught by the fire near the central Arizona town of Yarnell, about 85 miles northwest of Phoenix, and forced to deploy their fire shelters, tent-like structures meant to shield firefighters from flames and heat. The fire started Friday and picked up momentum as the area experienced high temperatures, low humidity and windy conditions. "Today please take a moment to say a prayer for the families of the 19 firefighters killed in the line of duty yesterday," tweeted Tom Arkins under the handle@indmedic, among many to post condolences.

There was only one storm in the vicinity Saturday, and the lightning that hit the Goldman Union Camp Institute on the Northwestside was the only strike that occurred. "That's what's so ironic about it," said Michael Koch, a senior meteorologist at the National Weather Service. Little new information is being released about the condition of the three children hit by the strike, one of whom was listed Saturday in critical condition.

West, 32, completed his two-year, $20 million contract this season and now has no deal. But both sides have been saying all the right things to indicate that West will remain with the Pacers, writes The Star's Terry Hutchens. Teams began talking with free agents at midnight, but can't announce any signings until July 10, when next year's salary cap is set by the NBA.

Pharmacists will be able to administer more vaccinations beyond flu shots -- pneumonia, tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis, HPV and meningitis vaccinations -- which will cut costs for those with no health insurance or insurance with a high deductible. Also, rehabilitated offenders will be able to have certain crimes expunged from their record, and school bullies will face a crackdown. Interesting issues are being addressed around the nation, too -- Kentucky, for instance, has finally lifted a ban on Election Day drinking; and Washington state lawmakers are working to strip its books of sexist language, such as by changing "his" to "his or her."

Fellow driver Jimmie Johnson complained afterward that Kenseth had broken the pace car speed in the NASCAR race, but Kenseth seemed puzzled by Johnson's accusation: "After dominating all day and you have a problem at the end, I imagine it's frustrating (for Johnson)." Kenseth now has a series-high four wins this season and is fifth in the points standings for the circuit. NASCAR's 2013 Brickyard 400 is coming up at the end of the month on Sunday, July 28.

The decentralized virtual currency now the world's most widely circulated can be exchanged for goods and services just like traditional currencies. Bitcoins can be cashed in for real money at any time. Transaction fees are lower than with credit cards or government-backed currency, but Bitcoins are also vulnerable to hackers. Indiana insurance agency Beauchamp McSpadden is among local businesses who've started accepting the currency. "It's definitely interesting and has a lot of traction," said Parker Beauchamp, president of the insurance agency.

With whoops, tears and shouts of "Boston Strong" as a backdrop, the benefit relay run that started June 7 in the Los Angeles area, crossed the Boston Marathon finish line early today. Rosa Evora, 45, of Brockton, Mass., crumpled to the ground a few feet before she finished; weeping loudly and overcome by memories, she was lifted to her feet by fellow runners to complete the last few steps. The non-stop, cross-country relay aims to raise money for the One Fund Boston, a charity set up to help those most affected by the blasts; the relay came through the Indianapolis area one week ago.

Obama wrapped up his visit to South Africa during the second leg of his African trip this weekend by answering questions from the audience at the University of Johannesburg and from people in Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya via live video link during a "town hall" meeting. He also announced a new initiative to bring electricity to sub-Saharan Africa and met with the family of ailing leader Nelson Mandela.

• Meanwhile, U.S. overseas allies protested fresh revelations of secret American surveillance programs that reportedly installed covert listening devices in European Union offices. It was the latest backlash in a nearly month-long global debate over the reach of the National Security Agency and the "PRISM" Internet surveillance program that aims to prevent terror attacks.

After dancing through a tribute from Stevie Wonder, Indie.Arie and Jamie Foxx and giving a long, inspiring speech, Timberlake persuaded Wilson to grab a mic. The 60-year-old Gap Band singer proceeded to take command of the show, performing a number of hits, including "You Dropped a Bomb on Me." Among other memorable moments, actor Don Cheadle paid tribute to Nelson Mandela: "We want to take a moment to send our thoughts and prayers to a man who literally changed the world, a man who once said, 'Our human compassion binds us the one to the other.'"